Family

The Mengsk Family's magnificent and expansive castle complex sits atop a steep cliff overlooking the sea, where deep blue waves crash against the golden sands and rocks below. The scenery here is breathtaking, and the climate is pleasant, making one feel as if they are on a mythical Nordic coast.

This building, as old as the colony, has historically been the summer retreat of the Mengsk Family leaders. It is located four miles from Sterling, the capital city of Korhal, the nearest city to the north, far from the power centers of the arrogant and extravagant new aristocracy and the corrupt government.

The White Castle stands atop a cliff, a medieval castle-style building surrounded by high white walls. All the high walls and the three-dimensional towers with their pointed tops are made of pure white marble blocks, and the tall pointed towers stand amidst the swirling mist.

This magnificent, pure white fortress stood amidst clouds and gales long ago, during the era of the colonists. Back then, the brave and fearless Tarsonis colonists traveled to the distant Korhal system in their second-generation warp drive ships, ultimately choosing to establish their new home on the fourth planet in this system with its pleasant climate. The Mengsk Family were the original leaders of these colonists.

Only one mountain road, winding through dense forests, leads directly to the Mengsk Family's castle, where the masters and their servants usually travel by small private airships.

Security here is even tighter than at the Mengsk Family Sky Tower in Sterling. Only the most trusted servants are sent here, swearing to protect the Mistress of the Mengsk Family and her children with their lives.

The convoy escorting Augustus did not switch to aircraft, but instead traveled along a mountain road with numerous checkpoints.

Augustus documented every checkpoint he encountered, noting that the security personnel, all dressed in black uniforms, carried Electromagnetic Rifle, wore simple combat suits with powered armor plates, and infrared goggles. However, he didn't believe these men could stop the three Ghost operative, especially since the latter would undoubtedly devise an infiltration plan based on intelligence, perhaps even infiltrating the security personnel themselves.

"Field, how much security is there around here?" Augustus, his brow furrowed as the convoy wound its way along the mountain road, a sign of his unease.

"Including those inside the White Castle, there are probably over two hundred people," Acton said. "A third of these people are retired soldiers from the Korhal Civil Defense Force and the Planetary Defense Force, and the rest are all carefully selected Korhal warriors."

"It's hard to say; people's thoughts are unpredictable. I still prefer to hire the Umojan. Umojan is a world that has rarely been infiltrated by Confederacy agents," Augustus. "The Umojan are skilled at using their advanced technology to carry out infiltration and counter-infiltration operations. Most importantly, the Umojan have actually been supporting my father's cause behind the scenes."

"It's rare, really rare to hear the word 'father' from you. Angus sometimes reflects on whether there's something wrong with his parenting style, but Dorothy is always so sensible and well-behaved," Acton joked.

"Your father has seriously considered your suggestions and believes they are all achievable. We are currently recruiting in Umojan. The young people there are responding enthusiastically. Thanks to media coverage, there are many sympathizers for Kel-Morian in Umojan, full of passion but with nowhere to vent it."

"How much?" Augustus asked.

"So many that they could form a non-governmental Umojan Volunteer Army." A smile broke through Acton's serious face. "They are willing to fight for Korhal's independence from the control of the Terran Confederacy."

"This is the best news I've heard in days, besides the victory in the war." Augustus nodded. "If only we could drag Umojan into the war of independence."

"Yes, a war between Korhal and the Confederacy is inevitable, but Umojan is unlikely to intervene in the war other than providing volunteers and military supplies," Acton said. "If they were willing to do so, Kel-Morian wouldn't have suffered such a crushing defeat."

"That's because the Confederacy hasn't pushed them to the point of no return, and Umojan's expansionist ambitions aren't as strong as the Kel-Morian Combine's, so there haven't been many conflicts with the Terran Confederacy." Augustus's cold gray eyes calmly gazed at the shady trees along the mountain road.

"But as soon as the Terran Confederacy is convinced that they have eliminated all threats except for the Umojan, the war that the Umojan people have tried so hard to avoid will soon arrive."

"Unfortunately, the Confederacy's next target is Korhal." Acton cast a cryptic glance at Augustus: "This isn't like you."

"Augustus, you love war and despise politics. In the past, you were always indifferent to what your father did."

"When you've become accustomed to death and bloodshed, to seeing young lives, as beautiful as flowers, perish before your eyes, you can no longer accept my original view of war. War is not beautiful; the epic tales of galactic heroes are nothing but children's plays compared to it," Augustus.

"You've grown a lot." At this point, the convoy had stopped outside the summer estate of Mengsk Castle. Acton Field, the security captain responsible for the security of the Mengsk Family members and all factories and industries, said as the Armored Vehicle gradually came to a stop in the courtyard of the castle.

I don't know if this is good or bad for you.

Augustus did not answer Acton, for a silver-haired girl in a white dress, like a frolicking bird, was running towards the Armored Vehicle where Augustus was. Lady Mengsk, dressed in an elegant cornflower-patterned gown, was standing at the Romanesque entrance of the castle, looking at him.

"Augustus!" Dorothy, Augustus's sister, threw herself into his arms, bumping Augustus back into his seat as he was about to get off the carriage.

"You're back."

Holding Dorothy in his arms, Augustus realized that she was his motivation to continue fighting. Augustus tried to pick Dorothy up like he did when she was a child, but failed. "You've gotten fatter again."

"What? Hmm--you're the one who's gained weight!" Dorothy said angrily, snuggling into Augustus's arms.

Augustus practically dragged Dorothy, who was clinging to him, to his mother. The beautiful woman, who was always elegant, burst into tears again when she saw her youngest son and hugged him tightly.

"We've all missed you, Augustus, it's been over six months. You've grown into a strong young man, and you're much more mature than before," Katherine said. "Mom is so proud of you."

Seeing his mother's tear-streaked face, Augustus a pang of pain in his heart. He suddenly imagined a horrific scene: his father Angus's head had been severed, and his mother and sister lay in pools of blood, with gruesome wounds on their chests and temples.

No, this absolutely cannot happen.